Trace-support.



H. H. SHEETS.

TRACE SUPPORT.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 25. m2.

Patented Apr. 27, 1915.

THE NORRIS PETERS CO" FHOTO-LITHO-L WASHINGTON. D. G

TRACE-SUPPORT. 3 l I i Application filed March 25, 1912.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, HORACE H. SHEETS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Sherman, in the county of Los Angeles and State of California, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Trace-Sup ports, of which the following is a specification.

The present invention relates to improvements in trace supports and is designed for the purpose of supporting the traces or tug straps, when the traces are not connected or coupled up to the vehicle, thus preventing the straps from dangling about the horses legs.

The invention consists essentially in a supporting device forming part of a harness, to be located upon the back of a horse, and comprising means for attachment, permanent or temporary, of different straps constituting part of the harness.

In the accompanying drawings I have illustrated two complete examples of the physical embodiment of my invention constructed according to the best modes I have so far devised for the practical application of the principles of the invention.

Figure 1 is a plan view of a trace support embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is an edge view of the support of Fig. 1, one of the cockeyes being shown in position and broken away, and the other cockeye in the act of being inserted into holding position. Fig. 3 is a plan view of a modified form of the invention showing one trace hooked to the support, and the cover plate being removed for convenience of illustration. Fig. 4 is an edge view of Fig. 3, the cover being shown in section, one cockeye in position and the other being inserted into the holder.

In the preferred embodiment of my invention, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, asingle retaining spring 1 is employed in conjunction with rounded lugs 2 for retaining the cockeyes of the trace straps. In Figs. 1 and 2, the numerals 3, indicate slots for the reception of the back strap, crupper strap and hip straps, and the numeral 4: designates a pair of rivets integral with a post 6 which rises from the base plate 5.

The cockeyes are indicated by the numeral 7 and they are adapted to be held under the spring 1 against the lugs 2, and a cover 8 is secured at the four corners to the base plate 5 by means of the riveted posts 9.

The cockeyes 8 are attached by means of the usual bolt or bar 10 to the trace strap 11.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 2?, 1915.

Serial No. 686,178.

It will be noted from Fig. 2 of the drawlngs that the cover plate 8 is elevated sufliclently above the base plate 5 to permit the insertion of a cockeye 7 between the rounded top of the lug 2 and the underside of the end of spring arm 1. The plate 8 is arranged to contact with the spring arms when the spring arms are in elevated position, as shown in Fig. 2, thus limiting the upward movement of the arms and relieving to some extent the strain upon the rivets that secure the spring arms to the post.

In applyingthe cockeye to the supporting device, it is shoved in between the spring 1 and rounded top of lug 2 until the cockeye falls inside the inner end of the lug 2, as seen at the right in Fig. 2, and the resiliency of the spring tongue 1 returns the spring to position as seen in Fig. 2 at the right, thus holding or retaining the cockeye against displacement, and the cockeye is practically suspended on the lug 2.

In the modification shown in Figs. 3 and 4 a pair of flat springs 1 are provided and attached to the central post or lug 13 by means of rivets 14:. In Fig. 3 the cover plate 8" is removed for purposes of illustration.

The numeral 3 indicates slots for the attachment of straps; 5 designates the supporting plate; 7 indicates the cockeyes; 8 indicates the cover plate and 9 the posts to which the cover plate is riveted, while 10 and 11 indicate respectively the cockeye bolt and trace strap.

From the above description taken in con nection with the drawings it will be under stood that I have provided a supporting device for traces or tug straps which will be cheap in first cost, durable, simple in operation, and withal will prove a comparatively perfect instrumentality for performing the required functions of a device of this character.

While I have claimed the novel features of my invention in the following claim, it should be understood that I contemplate minor or colorable changes and alterations within the scope of said claim and without departing from the spirit thereof.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is In a trace support, the combination of a rectangular base plate provided with strap receiving slots and having a pair of integral lugs and an intermediate post, spring arms secured to said post and. extending over said.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature lugs, and a cover plate attached to and in presence of two Witnesses.

, HORACE H. SHEETS. spaced from thebase plate and extending Witnesses:

- 5 partially over the spring arms and arranged H. ELLER,

to limit their upward. movement.

ROBT. A. MARTIN.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five ,cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

, Washington, D. G. 

